acute inflammation of the appendix, usually resulting from bacterial infection, which may be precipitated by obstruction of the lumen by a fecalith; variable symptoms often consisting of periumbilical, colicky pain and vomiting may be followed by fever, leukocytosis, persistent pain, and signs of peritoneal inflammation in the right lower quadrant of the abdomen; perforation or abscess formation is a frequent complication of delayed surgical intervention.
